My thoughts on the Phillies season.

The Phils begin their four-game series with the Dodgers with a lose as Papelbon is unable to keep the Dodgers from scoring in the top of the ninth, as the Phils lose, 4-3.

The Phils lose their third straight game, as Papelbon is unable to secure the ninth inning, as the Phils drop one to the Dodgers, 4-3.

The Dodgers took the lead in the first as, with two men on, and with one man out, Juan Rivera hits an RBI single, scoring Elian Herrera, who had earlier walked, then stole second base, giving the Dodgers a 1-0 lead, while sending Andre Ethier, who had just walked, on to third base. The Dodgers then took a 2-0 lead as Bobby Abreu hits an RBI single, knocking in Ethier, while moving Rivera up to second base. The Dodgers added to their lead in the second as, with a man on third, and with one man out, Dee Gordon hits an RBI single, scoring Adam Kennedy, who had started the inning off with a double, then went to third base on Clayton Kershaw’s sacrifice bunt, 1-4, giving the Dodgers a 3-0 lead. The Phils would get a run back in the third as, with one man on, and with nobody out, Freddy Galvis hits an RBI single, knocking in John Mayberry, Jr., who had started the inning off with a double, making it a 3-1 Dodgers lead. The Phils then tied up the ballgame at three-all three batters later, after Vance Worley moves Galvis up to second base on a sacrifice bunt, 1-4, and with two men out, Placido Polanco hits a two-run home run, his second home run of the season, scoring Galvis. The game would remain tied until the ninth inning as the Dodgers retake the lead as, with a runner on third, and with nobody out, Herrera hits an RBI single, knocking in Gordon, who had started the inning off with a triple, giving the Dodgers a 4-3 lead. That would end up being the final score as Kenley Jensen converted his seventh save of the season as he pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.

Vance Worley received a no-decision as he went four innings, giving up three runs on five hits and three walks, while striking out four. Joe Savery and Antonio Bastardo combined for four scoreless innings, giving up two hits ( one hit each) between them, while striking out six (three each). Jonathan Papelbon (0-2, 2.31) took the lost as he pitched an inning, giving up a run on two hits, while striking out two. Clayton Kershaw also received a no-decision as he threw seven innings, giving up three runs on eight hits, while striking out five. Ronald Belisario (1-0, 1.26) got the win as he pitched a 1-2-3 inning. Kenley Jensen collected his seventh save of the year as he threw a 1-2-3 inning, striking out two Phils.

The Phils had eight hits in the game, with Jimmy Rollins (Single, Triple), Placido Polanco (Single, Home Run, 2 RBIs) and Freddy Galvis (Singles, RBI) all leading the Phils with two hits each. Carlos Ruiz (Single) and John Mayberry, Jr. (Double) had the other two Phils’ hits.

The Phils (28-28, 5th East) continue their series with the Dodgers (34-21, 1st West) with a game now in progress.

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